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(1561-1626). Historians have found Francis Bacon a fascinating subject. He gained fame as a speaker in Parliament and as a lawyer in some famous trials. He also served as lord chancellor of England under King James I. As a philosopher and writer, Bacon attempted to explain the principles of acquiring knowledge. Because he tried to write while holding public office that demanded much time and attention, many of his works remained fragments. The writings that have been preserved have marked him as an innovative thinker.